Microsoft commits $20 billion to advance cybersecurity following meeting with President Biden
The biggest names in technology discussed cybersecurity with the U.S. President on Wednesday.
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What you need to know
CEOs from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and other tech giants met with U.S. President Joe Biden regarding cybersecurity on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Following the meeting, these companies and many other leaders in the technology industry agreed to major commitments to bolster cybersecurity. The discussions came following major cybersecurity attacks, including theSolarWinds hackand thePegasus iPhone hack.
Microsoft will invest $20 billion over the next five years “to integrate cyber security by design and deliver advanced security solutions.” Google committed to invest $10 billion over the next five years to expand zero-trust programs, to help secure the software supply chain, and to enhance open-source security.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella specified on Twitter that $150 million of Microsoft’s investment will be used to help the U.S. government upgrade protections.
Thank you@POTUSfor convening a critical conversation on cybersecurity. Microsoft will invest $20 billion to advance our security solutions over the next 5 years, $150 million to help US government agencies upgrade protections, and expand our cybersecurity training partnerships.Thank you@POTUSfor convening a critical conversation on cybersecurity. Microsoft will invest $20 billion to advance our security solutions over the next 5 years, $150 million to help US government agencies upgrade protections, and expand our cybersecurity training partnerships.— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella)August 25, 2021August 25, 2021
Astatement from the White Houseoutlines commitments from each company and from the Biden Administration. Below are the commitments from Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Amazon:
IBM, Resilience, Coalition, Code.org, Girls Who Code, University of Texas System, and Whatcom Community College also shared commitments following the meeting.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will work with partners to create a new framework to improve the security of the technology supply chain. The Biden administration also announced the expansion of the Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Initiative into natural gas pipelines. The latter is likely in response to the Colonial Pipeline attack, which stopped gas from being delivered in the southeast region of the U.S. earlier this year (viaZDNet).
Earlier this year, the Biden administration also issued aNational Security Memorandum.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
